Brighton Marathon for Terrence Higgins Trust
Lewis McClenaghan is raising money for Terrence Higgins Trust
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I'm excited to say that on Sunday the 14th of April I'll be running the Brighton Marathon to raise money for the Terrence Higgins Trust. There's really no other charity I'd rather put myself through the gruelling training and 26-mile run for.
The Terrence Higgins Trust is the UK's leading HIV and sexual health charity. Since it's inception in 1983, THT has been at the forefront of fighting HIV nationally, finding itself now as one of the largest sexual health charities in Europe and in the world. Their main aims include:
- To end the transmission of HIV in the UK.
- To empower and support people living with HIV to lead healthy lives.
- To amplify the voices of those affected by HIV across public and political arenas to eradicate stigma and discrimination.
- To enable people to enjoy good sexual health.
Advances in medication and public perception mean that now people living with HIV are mostly able to live healthy, happy lives. The UK government recently announced its ambitious but achievable target to eliminate new transmissions by 2030.
Yet whilst demand for sexual health services has risen 13% nationally, it's funding has been cut by a quarter. Testing services, educational initiatives and medication are all crucial factors affected by these relentless cuts. PreP, a drug that prevents the transmission of HIV, is oversubscribed nationally and the government has indicated it will delay expanding its trial scheme. Too often, it's availability coincides with post-code privilege, lifestyle and economic class, and there are patients keenly in need of the drug who are being unacceptably denied it and as such are needlessly at risk of transmission.
Rates of infection for other STI's are also consequentially skyrocketing. New cases of gonorrhoea went up 43% since 2013 and new cases of syphilis went up a staggering 148% since 2008. Young people, LGTBQ+ and BAME communities are all disproportionately affected.
So, the work THT does is vital and every donation towards this cause will immeasurably help improve the lives of others. Plus, it'll make all my sweating worthwhile!
Lewis x
Lewis x